Simplehack: A moleskine refillable, Midori style
While visiting Chasing Daisies, one of the stationery blogs on my list, I — again — browsed through the posts about Midori’s Traveler’s Notebook (Flickr collection).
As so often happen, I then dragged up a number of photos and blogs about the notebook, to try to get a feel for it. As much as you are able to through your screen, of course.
Two things that I found appealing with it were first, the leather cover. I love leather covers, the all time favourite of mine being the sturdy hide of my old Filofax, which went out of stock sometime around 1985 or so. (From while they were still made in the UK, not in China).
Nothing ages as beautifully as leather.
The second thing was the concept of refills. An elastic band that kept the insert in place. This enables you to continue to use the ‘notebook’, while refilling it with fresh paper.
These two are the main reasons why I kept my old Filofax for years. To be honest, the paper quality is not very interesting and the binder rings really are a nuisance when you are writing. However, the leather has aged almost to perfection and the ability to just archive the old notes were what made it worth it.
Then, two summers ago, I finally switched to Moleskine pocket sized notebooks. The Filofax Personal size is just too big to haul along at times, when the rest of what you carry is a mobile, a USB drive and a belt pouch with passport and minor belongings.
I bought the ‘regular’, hard cover notebook, the Japanese notebook and the set of three, thinner cahier notebooks, with carton ‘Kraft’ covers.
I immediately took fancy of the thinner notebooks, which became my everyday thought jotters. Sometimes, I missed the hard cover, though, especially for supporting while you write, resting the notebook on your knee or similar.
After I had filled up the Japanese notebook, I cut out the paper from the hard cover. It’s not that hard since the content is a single, folded sheet, so only one side of the entire notebook is actually attached to the covers. I started to keep loose notes in it, but it wasn’t all that practical after a while.
This gave me the moleskine covers, but it wasn’t until I saw the Midori that I realised I could use it as a cover for my Kraft notebooks.
I generally use two at a time; one for personal notes and thoughts, and one for projects, research and ideas.
For now, while testing it out, I am using two simple rubber bands to keep the two books in place. I may want to look for something fancier later, though I’m not sure how to join the two ends of an elastic band together. From what I have heard, the lead piece solution of Midori’s leaves something to be wished for.
If I want or need to remove one of the notebooks, it is quite easy to do so, just slipping it out.
The solution also allows for the entire assembly to lie flat on a table while I write, something greatly appreciated.
It is just a simple hack and even if a Moleskine cover doesn’t age with the same grace as leather, I’ve found it quite useful so far.
EDIT, FEB 27
I must say I am quite happy with this set up so far. It works and seems quite durable, even when riding in the back pocket of your jeans.
I switched the rubber bands for some black elastic bands, the kind you use for your hair. All over, looks pretty nice now. :)
